Researchers create wirelessly-powered robot swarm
By Donald Melanson 
posted Oct 17th 2008 12:50PM
posted Oct 17th 2008 12:50PM
Wireless power has come a long way from Nikola Tesla's early ruminations on the matter, and it looks like some researchers from Duke and Georgia Tech are now taking the idea to its logical, robot-powering conclusion. While their setup (thankfully) isn't yet able to power robots beyond the confines of the Q L-C resonator-equipped table, it does appear to work remarkably well in that limited proof-of-concept, with five bots each equipped with a non-resonant pickup coil able to follow a path around the table, or simply sit still to recharge their batteries. They were even able to power an LED light with the system for good measure. Natually, they eventually hope to expand the system to power larger swarms of robots and do away with the need for batteries altogether. Yeah, that's a good idea. Head on past the break for a video.
I, for one, welcome our self powered robot overlords.
What a true first comment should be. I commend you, good sir.
go jackets...making my degree even more valuable
Action packed video. High-speed pursuit.
Gray Goo here we come
Robot swarm....why does that have a ominous sound to it. Couldn't you have just said robot parade, that sounds more positive and upbeat
[your name]
that is awesome
mark my words, this is the first step towards them making US their batteries, or feeding the elderly to the newborn and so forth
I fail to see the problem.
Yay! GT on Engadget yet again!
go GT!
It doesn't look like a swarm - unless trains swarm...
When I saw the title and the picture, I was like what? no wires? There are wires connecting them together in a circle.
Then I read the part about line following
Doh!
clearly witchcraft.
I'm telling you, it won't be robot overlords. We will be old men with no healthcare, hunting robots to keep our cyborg parts in working order. In which case, a non-resonant pickup coil will be my first ganking. Gotta keep that pacemaker powered.
Have you ever read Prey by Michael Crichton?
I read this book just a few weeks ago. First thing I thought about as well. I guess it's time to raise the positive pressure.......
How are they following that line?
what possible good can come from this? is it just me or couldn't these guys be spending their brain power on developing things that won't eventually make our species obsolete? if these researchers can do this, why can't they look into health care, or something more beneficial? I for one do not welcome our wireless powered, self improving, programmable matter overlords...
Imagine the implications for mass transportation! You could get on an electric car... that would follow a set rout on the street...(I know let's call it a "street car!") and get its power through light contact with a surface... oh...wait... they did that back in the 1860s and called them street cars. LOL.
Seriously though... this is great news if it means I can ditch the mess of cables behind my stereo or computer. :-)
This system is primitive compared to what Nikola Tesla had devised almost over 100 years ago. His system used scalar electromagnetic waves to transmit power wirelessly with ZERO attenuation. Humanity is going backwards I tell you, BACKWARDS!